บท 72: Chapter 72: Return to PANTERA part 3
At the front, Lynn remained seated, constantly assessing the situation through the radio.
"Lynn, what's the situation in front of the hotel?"
"The fans keep gathering! Currently, there are over ten thousand, and they keep coming in!"
"Can we enter? What does the hotel say?"
"Yes, the hotel staff is trying to secure the entrance, but if more people gather, it seems uncontrollable with just the staff here!"
"Contact the public security police. See if we can get some help."
"Yes, understood."
Lynn sighed as she put down the radio. Through Geon's interpretation, Phillip received the real-time translation of the Chinese coming from the radio. Rex, who had been listening to the translated story, spoke with a puzzled expression.
"Are we not able to enter our hotel at this rate?"
Vinnie, looking at the Beijing cityscape outside the window, pointed outside.
"Look. Those people in the taxis taking pictures in this direction. Are they following us?"
Rex, leaning against the window, looked outside, and women in the back seat of a taxi, closely following the bus, opened the window and pointed their cameras. Rex drew a 'V' in the air, and a woman in the taxi gestured as if to say, "Vinnie, look at me." Vinnie burst into laughter.
"Hahaha!! Did you just see that? Gesturing 'V' with an annoying face? Hahaha."
Rex puffed up his cheeks with a disgruntled expression, and Phillip and Geon joined in the laughter. With a push from Geon, Phillip moved to the window and opened it. When Geon leaned out, not only the taxi next to them but also cars around them opened their windows, and cameras came out, flashing. As Geon waved and smiled, Lynn rushed over, closing the window.
"No, it's not allowed. It's dangerous. Please don't open the window."
At that moment, an urgent voice came from the radio hanging on Lynn's waist.
"Boss! Fans are pouring in on a large scale!"
Startled, Lynn pulled out the radio and spoke.
"How many?"
"I-I don't know! An enormous crowd is rushing in!"
"What does the public security police say?"
"They say they can't deploy police for hotel security, especially after the airport incident!"
"Alright. We still have about 30 minutes to arrive, so keep updating the situation."
"No, Boss! It's still out of control!"
"Understood. We'll discuss and get back to you."
After Lynn sighed, she looked at Geon.
"What should we do? It seems like we can't go to the hotel."
Geon asked with a puzzled expression.
"What about you, Boss? The concert is tomorrow. Should we stay on the bus today?"
Phillip, hitting the front seat, said.
"Ah! Can't we even go to buy beer?"
Lynn shook her head.
"There's everything you need in the fridge. If you need anything else, tell the security team."
After Phillip dropped his hand, Geon and Lynn exchanged glances.
"What now? It seems we can't go to the hotel."
Vinnie chuckled and said, "It can't be helped. As long as it's not the bus, anywhere is fine. Let's go to a motel."
Lynn nodded.
"Hotels may also face security issues, and motels are not an option. Let me check elsewhere and get back to you."
While Lynn was back at her seat, exchanging information on the radio, the bus passed by the hotel they originally intended to go to. Looking out the window, Rex commented.
"We would have been in big trouble if we tried to go in there."
Surprised by Rex's words, Phillip turned to the window.
"Well, isn't it more crowded than the airport?"
Vinnie, widening her eyes, said.
"We can't even get a car in, let alone a bus. Hey, this country's no joke."
As the bus passed the hotel and went on for about ten more minutes, Lynn approached and said.
"We're heading to Chairman Wang Hao's villa of Fantasio. It's about 30 more minutes from here, but the problem is it's not a standalone villa; it's an apartment. Since it's a residential area, other residents live there. Please be especially careful about security and cover your faces with hats or masks."
The group put on hats and masks provided by Lynn. After about 30 minutes, the team arrived at an underground parking lot of a high-rise apartment building with over 30 floors. After getting off the bus, the group stood in front of an empty elevator in the underground area. Lynn instructed the security team, who came with them on the bus, to go to the lobby on the 1st floor, and they ran up to control the elevator.
Fortunately, it wasn't a busy time, and only a few residents were on the 1st floor of the apartment building. They watched in surprise as the security guards suddenly rushed in. The group, entering the elevator, finally arrived at the penthouse on the top floor and unpacked their luggage. Lynn assigned rooms.
"Phillip, use this room. Vinnie, here. Rex, use this room. K, take the innermost room, and never pull the curtain on the window. If pictures are taken from outside, we'll have to move again."
After raising his hand, Phillip said.
"Can't we even go out to buy beer?"
Lynn shook her head.
"There's everything you need in the fridge. If you require anything else, just inform the security team."
After lowering his hand, Phillip shouted, swinging open the large fridge in the distance.
"Heya~ Is this the lifestyle of a Chinese tycoon I've only heard about? Is this a fridge or a convenience store?"
Digging through the fridge, Phillip retrieved three beers, tossed them to Vinnie and Rex, and remarked, "There are different types of beer too. What do you want, K?"
Geon gestured as if saying, 'Whatever you like,' and the group enjoyed their beers while carrying their luggage to their assigned rooms. In the living room, only Geon and Lynn remained, exchanging glances.
"I usually call you K in front of people, but it's more comfortable to call you Geon when we're alone."
"Haha, I don't care what you call me. Call me whatever you're comfortable with."
Lynn walked to the fridge, fetched a soda, sat on the sofa, and took a sip. Glancing at Geon, she said, "Now you've gained worldwide attention as Pantera's guitarist. You keep surprising us with different appearances like peeling an onion."
Geon, sitting comfortably on the sofa with both hands up, laughed, and Lynn continued, "What's your plan for the future? You seem like you've already become a star living an ordinary life."
Geon replied with a smile, "I'll continue going to school. I've built many connections here, and I don't plan to live solely as a guitarist."
Lynn nodded, "Well, it's a shame to waste your singing talent. Are you considering becoming a pop singer and singing your own songs?" Geon raised his head and said, "I haven't specified a genre. I don't have a definite plan to sing either. There are still many instruments to learn, and a lot of theory to cover. I also want to explore the producing side."
Lynn asked Geon with a serious look, "How far do you want to go? It might be better to focus on one genre."
Geon laughed and crossed his legs. "Well, I haven't chosen a specific genre yet. Until then, I want to absorb various genres of music."
Lynn, with a curious expression, asked, "Various genres? Like what?"
After Geon clenched his fist and thought for a moment, he said, "Hmm... I'd like to further explore film music, which I've done before, and maybe try my hand at hip-hop."
"Hip-hop? You want to rap?" Lynn asked with wide eyes.
Geon shook his head, laughing. "No, not exactly. I tried it alone, but it turns out I don't have the talent for rapping. If I ever do it, it would probably be in producing or featuring."
Nodding with a fist raised, Lynn said, "To produce, you need to have some recognition in the industry. You're not known in hip-hop. How will you manage that?"
Geon raised his hands behind his head, holding his neck. "I don't know yet. But if I have the will to do it, and if there are people willing to help, I think I can make it happen. Haha."
Lynn nodded in agreement. "It seems like strange connections gather around Geon. It doesn't seem impossible, especially considering how you met Phil in Seattle by chance. Seeing that such connections lead to a tour, someone else might appear as a new connection, regardless of the genre you choose. It's like the god of music is helping you."
Geon burst into laughter. "The god of music? Haha. Do you think such a god really exists?"
Lynn shrugged and said, "Whether it's a god or a devil, without something like that, these many connections wouldn't be possible."
Geon, still smiling, said, "Really? Haha. Well, I guess it could be."
Lynn unfolded a stack of papers she held in her hand. "After tomorrow's performance and the day after tomorrow's show in Guangzhou, we have to go to Europe. Are you aware of that?"
Geon nodded, and Lynn continued, "If you can capture even the proud fans in the UK, Pantera will experience a complete revival. If that happens, do you think the members will stay quiet if you decide to return to school?"
Looking at the door of the room where the members were, Geon said, "I already told Phil and Vinnie. Just participating in the tour. From what I know, they're thinking of recruiting the former guitarist of Phil's old band 'Down.'"
Lynn raised her eyebrows and asked, "Down? Is it a famous band? I've never heard of it."
Geon laughed, "It's somewhat known, but not as much as Pantera. The activity period was too short. Still, I'm sure the musician is talented. Have you listened to their music?"
Nodding, Lynn said, "Yes, that's somewhat relieving, at least for Pantera."
Lynn got up from her seat and said, "We have to rehearse from tomorrow morning, and after the evening performance, we need to fly immediately. It's going to be a tiring day. Geon, get some rest. Managing your condition is the most important."
Geon shook hands with a smile as Lynn left the office. Looking out of the window through the curtains, Geon picked up the phone and made a call.
"Hyung, it's Geon. I'm in China now, haha."
"Oh, really? I saw the news. Did you manage to check into the hotel?"
"No, I couldn't get in. I came to the villa. It seems to be your company president's villa."
"Oh, really? It's close to our house."
"Is it? I really want to see you, hyung."
"Do you? Then I'll come. I'll bring Yeongseok and Sangmi with me."
"Great. Come quickly, hyung."
After ending the call, Geon approached the window, peeked through the curtains at the outside scenery, and then abruptly closed the gap in the curtains.
Byeong-joon, Sangmi, and Yeonju stayed up late talking with Geon before leaving. The next day, the group moved to the venue in secret and barely finished the performance. They experienced similar things at the Guangzhou concert. It was good to be popular, but the band members, who had never experienced such extreme fans before, shuddered and said they would never come back to China.
After all the hardships, the group boarded the plane to England and quickly fell asleep. Geon also fell asleep under the plane blanket and did not wake up until they arrived in England.
When the members arrived in England, they looked at the quiet airport and laughed.
"Yeah, freedom! That's the way it should be, damn, China was too much!"
Phil, stretching and walking out of the departure hall, laughed and said.
"Let's go. If we just finish the performance in England, we only have the American performance left, so let's do our best."
After arriving at the hotel a short while later, the group received the keys to their assigned rooms and gathered in the lobby for a moment. Lynn looked at the gathered group and said.
"You all know well the arrogance of British rock fans. It is a very difficult task to gain their recognition."
Phil nodded as if agreeing.
"That's right, we were lucky that the last concert was only our fans, because this is the first time we've performed in front of so many fans."
Vinny asked Lynn.
"Where was the venue? I forgot when I heard it."
Lynn held up the document and said.
"It is the Royal Festival Hall in London South Bank Center. It is a concert hall with a capacity of 2,900 seats."
Rex said, with his hands in his pockets.
"It's not even three thousand seats? Isn't it too different from the previous concert?"
Lynn looked at Rex and said.
"That's the awareness of Pantera in England. Reservations were made, but the speed of selling out was also slow."
Phil said with a slightly disappointed face.
"I can't understand the British guys. Why is there such a difference between America and England, even though they are both English-speaking countries?"
Vinny said, crossing his arms.
"They are the type who listen to music with vocal melodies. Bands like us who don't have special vocal melodies, or so-called music that is difficult to sing along, are not popular in places like this."
Lynn nodded as she listened to Vinny's words and said.
"So, what do you say? Why don't we have Kay sing at the beginning as an event?"
Geon's eyes widened, and Phil said as if it was a good idea.
"Yeah! Kay, I saw the video of you playing live with Santana. You were killing it, right? Let's do that and flatten the noses of the British guys!"
Geon nodded after thinking for a moment, and Vinny said,
"Okay, but what song should we do? We can play the music together."
Lynn raised her index finger and said,
"I would recommend trying out the music of a British band. To break down the arrogance of Britain, you have to go after them with a song by a British band."
Rex wiped his mouth with his sleeve and shouted,
"Wow!!! That's hot! You're really hot... Cough!"
After Vinny slapped Rex on the back of the head, he said to Geon,
"What do you want to do? We'll have to practice a little bit, but if you give us one song, we can practice it quickly."
When Geon put his arms crossed and thought about it, Phil said,
"What are you thinking about? There are more than a few famous bands in Britain? Just pick one. There's the Rolling Stones, Radiohead, and Muse. Oh, and please exclude Pink Floyd. We don't have a keyboard."
Geon thought for a moment and said,
"Is Bush possible?"
Rex clapped his hands and said,
"You're talking about the grunge rock band, right? The leader looks like Kurt Cobain of Nirvana, and they're both grunge rock, so they've been called a copycat. I didn't know they were a British band."
Geon nodded and continued,
"Yes, I'm a Nirvana fan too, but Bush was influenced by Nirvana, but they're not a copycat. They showed their own unique grunge rock. The problem was that the vocalist, Gavin Rossdale, looked too much like Kurt Cobain."
Phil asked with a questioning look,
"Okay, if it's grunge rock, the playing shouldn't be too difficult. What song are you going to do?"
Geon took a moment to gather his thoughts and said,
"I'm a little torn because I like two songs. I want to do 'Greedy Fly' or 'Swallowed.'"
Vinny crossed his arms and said,
"It doesn't matter which of the two songs you do. We only have to practice for an hour, so decide now. I'll print out the sheet music on the way upstairs so I can read it."
Geon thought for a moment after that and said,
"British fans don't like change that isn't theirs. I think 'Swallowed' would be a better message to send to those people."
Phil clapped his hands and said,
"Okay! Then let's decide on 'Swallowed'! Let's gather for a while in the morning tomorrow to practice. Is that okay, Ms. Lynn?"
Lynn nodded and said,
"I'll print out the sheet music and bring it to your room immediately. I'll immediately find a place where you can practice tomorrow and let you know."
The group nodded as if they understood and dispersed to their respective rooms. Geon also returned to his room, took a short rest, and received the sheet music from the staff. He took out Haku and sat down on the bed to look at the sheet music. Geon's eyes widened as he looked at the sheet music.
'What is this? Yellow? Why is this kind of lyric yellow? Yellow definitely represents positive meanings like warmth or cuteness.'
Geon stroked his chin and thought.
'All the colors of the notes I knew so far had multiple meanings. Could it also have a negative meaning? A band like Bush wouldn't have left the entire score with the wrong notes, would they?'
Geon tried to translate the lyrics into Korean next to the lyrics.
warm sun feed me up i'm leery loaded up
(따뜻한 태양이 나에게 활력을 주지만 난 의심스러워.)
loathing for a change and i slip some boil away
(변화에 대한 혐오로 나는 약간의 실수를 저질렀거든.)
swallowed followed heavy about everything but my love
(모든 것에 무거운 사랑을 삼켜버리고, 따라야 해)
swallowed sorrowed i'm with everyone and yet not
(삼켜진 슬픔이 나와 모두와 함께 있는 것 같지만 아니야.)
Geon wrote "Yellow" next to the sheet music and then "positive meaning." After thinking for a moment, Geon wrote "prejudice" next to the word yellow. After thinking for a moment, Geon nodded and thought.
"It seems that the notes that appear in color do not represent only one emotion. I think all colors coexist with positive and negative meanings."
Geon decided to continue his research and went back to school. He looked at the notes on the sheet music one by one and corrected the notes that were not yellow. Because there were not many parts to be corrected, Geon finished the correction quickly and sang the song while taking a shower, and then fell asleep soon.
The next day, around 10 a.m., Geon handed out the corrected sheet music to the members who had rented a rehearsal room not far from the hotel with the guidance of Lynn, who knocked on the door.
"I corrected the sheet music. It's a very small part, so it won't be difficult to play. Oh, there are no changes to the drum part."
Vinny made a happy face, and Rex frowned.
"Oh, I practiced all night last night and went to bed!"
Phil tapped Rex on the back and said.
"Our talented Rex! Let's stop complaining and practice?"
Rex puffed out his cheeks and put on his bass guitar, and Geon took Haku out of the hard case and connected it to the amp. Geon connected the jack to the multi that he had taken out beforehand, sat down in a chair, put Haku on his lap, and said.
"I'm alone in the intro, and you know you're going in together after 8 bars?"
After exchanging glances with Rex and Vinny, Geon sang immediately while drawing the guitar from top to bottom.
"warm sun feed me up i'm leery loaded up"
As Geon exhaled and sang in a hollow and self-deprecating voice, Phil stood up in surprise from his seat. Geon concentrated on the song with his eyes closed while playing a simple guitar riff.
"loathing for a change and i slip some boil away"
Geon adjusted the multi and played with distortion.
"Jingjingjingjing!"
"swallowed followed······"
As Geon sang, he felt that the drums and bass were not keeping up, and he stopped playing and looked back at the two. Geon saw Rex and Vinny with their mouths wide open. Phil was also looking down at Geon sitting in the chair with surprised eyes. When Geon smiled, Phil, who was the first to come to his senses, said in an unbelievable expression.
"Phew. It's different from what I saw in Santana's live video. It's different when you actually hear it."
Rex said with a dazed expression, raising his arm.
"I'm getting goosebumps. I was surprised."
Vinny shook his head vigorously, then said with a bright expression.
"Haha, the British guys' faces will be amazing. I wish I could see the audience."
Phil said, looking at his own forearm.
"I'm getting goosebumps too. That's why I didn't hear you say to come in as a guitarist. With this kind of skill, there's no way you'd be satisfied with being a guitarist. Now I understand everything."
Geon said with a deep smile, tapping the microphone.
"Aren't we going to practice? If we don't practice soon, we won't be able to eat lunch. Do you want to live and do a live show?"
Phil said as he left the practice room.
"I'm already hungry. Vinny, I'll get something for Rex, so you guys practice well."
Rex shouted urgently.
"Me! Don't forget the beer!"
As Phil left the practice room, Geon turned to Vinny and Rex and laughed.
"Well then. Shall we continue practicing?"
Rex was still out of his mind, so he raised his hand for a moment and said.
"Wait a minute, why don't you do vocals? You'd be able to eat the charts with that kind of skill."
Vinny threw a stick at Rex's head and said.
"Hey, you're still a student! He'll do it when the time comes. Do you want him to live an ignorant life like you, unable to graduate from school?"
Rex, holding the back of his head, rolled his eyes and said.
"What's wrong with my life! I make a lot of money, and I have a lot of women!"
The two of them were able to practice only after bickering for a long time.
Lynn, who was listening to Geon's singing echoing in the practice room from outside, smiled brightly.
'The haughty British fans. Today, they're in for a big surprise.'
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